HUGH Reed O'Hagan is a music co-ordinator with the Northern Rock Festival Group, a voluntary organisation based in Royston in Glasgow. Founded seven years ago, its purpose is to help people in the some of the less better off areas of the city gain access to music through classes, gigs and studio facilities. Current funders include the Scottish Arts Council, North Glasgow Social Inclusion Partnership and the EU.

What is your background?

I'm probably best known as the singer in the band, The Velvet Underpants, but before I started a decade of careering around Europe from gig to gig in the back of an old transit, I gained a degree in social sciences. About four years ago I initiated a ''music business'' night class at the Nautical College, and gained some lecturing experience. I saw my present post advertised in The Herald and was lucky enough to get the job.

Describe a typical day.

My work is extremely varied. At the moment we are co-organising an anti-racism gig featuring The Proclaimers at the Barras. Usually though I'm out visiting youth groups, drug rehab and asylum-seeker bodies. We provide free guitar, keyboard and drum lessons, and I sometimes take classes myself. I also advise local bands on how best to move forward, and help organise community festivals.

Are you part of a team?

In my capacity as music co-ordinator I am answerable to a board of directors. The other full-time employees include a sound engineer, who runs the recording studio, an administrator and an IT coordinator. There are also 10 sessional workers.

Would you like to be doing the same job in five years?

I'd be very happy indeed to be doing this job five years from now. It's great to finally be able to make a living out of music, in such an enjoyable and positive way.

Is there anything about the job that you don't like?

The bureaucracy and uncertain funding that surrounds community organisations is probably the most frustrating aspect of the job.

If music is so much a part of your daily job, what do you do in your spare time?

I still play with my band, now rechristened The Hugh Reed Explosion. I enjoy it and I feel it helps me when advising young bands, as it keeps me up-to-date, for example, with the ever-changing venue scene. I like to feel that I am not just an adviser, but someone still out there doing it.

l Northern Rock Festival Group: www.nrfg.co.uk